Money will soon be hitting accounts of farmers hurt by last year’s economy, as Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins has released $10 billion, with row crop farmers set to get the most relief.
“Producers are facing higher costs and market uncertainty, and the Trump Administration is ensuring they get the support they need without delay. With clear direction from Congress, USDA has prioritized streamlining the process and accelerating these payments ahead of schedule, ensuring farmers have the resources necessary to manage rising expenses and secure financing for next season,” said Secretary Rollins.
They are part of the payments authorized by Congress late last year because there was no Farm Bill. Under the plan, the Farm Service Agency will give pre-filled applications to farmers, and they will use information from 2024 acreage reports.
Top payment rates are $43.91 for corn, $29.76 for soybeans, $30.69 for wheat, and $84.74 for cotton. Off the bat, farmers will get 85 percent of the payment they are owed in order to make sure there is enough money to go around. A second payment could come later in the summer.
Farmers do not have to wait for their pre-filled application to apply. They can contact their local FSA office to request an application, or they can click here!
USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky, Travis Burton, joined us to discuss the Princeton facility (formerly Porter Road Meats), now backed by the USDA, and its role in expanding domestic meat processing capacity.
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Rural population growth and stabilizing economic indicators point to post-pandemic recovery, but uneven income, shifting industries, and regional divides remain key challenges for rural communities.
January 23, 2026 08:00 AM
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Decoupled base acres may amplify income inequality and distort planting decisions as farm program payments increase.
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Corn and wheat exports remain a demand bright spot, while soybeans are transitioning into a more typical late-winter shipping slowdown.
January 21, 2026 10:36 AM
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Despite rising costs and growing food insecurity, meat demand remained strong in 2025 as higher-income consumers offset cutbacks elsewhere. Economists break down the K-shaped economy, upcoming USDA cattle reports, livestock production outlooks, and renewed debate over beef imports and country-of-origin labeling heading into 2026.
January 20, 2026 02:47 PM
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